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Seniors & Covid

Staying Healthy on Quarantine, Top 5 tips

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

The COVID-19 pandemic affects everyone in the world, no matter where the age. Quarantine measures have been put in place to prevent citizens from getting sick or infecting their fellows. Staying healthy during quarantine is simple, as long as you know what you must and must not do. Here are some of the most basic do’s and don’ts. Health is important, so respecting some of these guidelines could make a difference.

  1. Get into a daily routine

Keeping an on-going routine is crucial for productivity. You need to set a schedule and prioritize your activities accordingly. It’s important to know when and how to do certain activities; otherwise, you might get overwhelmed by all this free time.

Been there, done that. I’ve been a couch potato for the first weeks of the pandemic. I was basically unable to do anything because I couldn’t find the motivation for it. Time passed and I realized I must change something if I want to start feeling more active and therefore, better. Setting up a daily routine was helpful, so maybe that’d be a favorable thing for you to try as well.

  1. Exercise often

The more you exercise, the more accomplished you’ll feel. That’s because exercising makes your body feel more active and therefore prone to work harder. So, it’s important that you include exercise in your daily quarantine routine. You could watch fitness trainers on YouTube and get inspired from there. There are many channels that can help you learn how to work out from home, you just have to find the right ones.

Don’t think that weightlifting is the only workout available out there. If you’re not into that, you could take an online Zumba class or do some yoga while you’re at it. This is your time to learn something new in this aspect, so take on sports, even if it’s something super easy. You’ll soon feel better.

  1. Eat healthy foods

Since you’ll be working out, your body will need more nutrients. Make sure you are offering yourself the right type of food. Since you’re at home the whole time, you should be able to cook more. Make sure you order all the groceries you need online and look up recipes that you’d like to make. You don’t have to spend too much time on this. However, make sure you’re taking some time to cook for yourself. Eat lots of veggies and soups *especially during the winter* and make sure that you stay hydrated. Your diet is super important for your health and well-being.

  1. Use your time wisely and be productive

Becoming productive is a process that can be learned – the fact that you procrastinate does not mean you’re failing. Whenever you don’t feel like being productive, take a small break. Walk around the house, stretch, read one or two of your favorite motivational quotes, and get back to being productive. When your body doesn’t feel like working, don’t force it to sit down. Listen to yourself and convince yourself of why it is important to continue the task at hand. Once you figure that out, you’ll become more motivated to work, and everything will unfold easier.

  1. Get enough rest

Since you’re at home all day, you might find yourself less motivated to sleep (especially when you’re on a work roll). You might be tempted to spend late nights at your desk and finish most of your online duties ahead of time. While productivity is a great thing to practice when working a senior online job, don’t forget about resting. Your body needs to rest in order to stay productive. So, get good sleep – rest for at least 7 to 8 hours per night.

Plus 2 Bonus Tips

We think these two other extra tips are important to note, so here they are.

Find balance by taking care of yourself

Taking care of yourself means more than resting and eating well. Take time to meditate or exercise at least 30 minutes each day – you’ve got enough time to spare. Make room for a rather mindful practice in your routine. If you cannot meditate for 30 minutes at first, start with 5 or 10. If you prefer journaling to meditation, ensure that you’re writing down your feelings daily. Checking in with yourself is always a good idea.

Connect with other people

Don’t forget to connect with other people. As humans, we are social beings in need of daily interaction. So, even if you’re not seeing anyone, Skype or Zoom them every now and then. Of course, quarantine is a great time to enjoy some time alone, but don’t forget to interact, at least minimally. Keep everyone updated on how you feel – and have a good laugh with your best friends.

Wrapping Up

Form a daily routine, eat healthily, get rest, exercise, and be productive, and quarantine will pass in no time. Don’t forget to connect with other people and take time for your soul. Happy quarantine, my friend!

Author Bio:

John Peterson is an essay writer online with 4 years’ experience working in London magazine “Shop&buy”. He provides the best writing services for students. In his free time, John is a professional mini-tennis player. He has written a novel “His heart”. You can find him on Facebook.

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Fall Prevention TipsSafety & Fall Prevention

Top 3 Tips for Fall Prevention

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

Falls can cause serious injuries that take a long time to heal. They can lead to permanent mobility problems that prevent your enjoyment of hobbies and/or limit your ability to drive, shop, cook or bathe. Top 3 Tips for Fall Prevention
Falls are usually the result of spatial orientation miscalculations, dizziness, vision issues, imbalance, poor mobility and/or foot traffic obstacles.

Check Your Health

If you have arthritis, osteoporosis, hypoglycemia, diabetes, blood pressure fluctuation or another condition that can affect your ability to walk, ask your doctor about symptom management methods. If you’re otherwise experiencing symptoms that make you feel like you’re going to fall, see your doctor immediately for an examination. Lastly, ask your doctor or pharmacist about stand-alone and combination medication side effects that can cause falls and any available alternatives. If you have limited options, change lifestyle habits to improve your chances of staying upright.

Stay Physically Active

You’ve probably heard the statement: “If I stop moving, I’m done.”
This attitude is actually good because those words are correct and relevant at any age.
Sedentary behavior causes leg and overall body weakness. It can also cause dizziness by compressing veins and arteries; thereby, stopping the movement of important oxygen-rich blood. Low activity can also damage the nerves responsible for movement and pain management. When these issues occur, they reduce your strength, flexibility, coordination and ability to walk confidently without wobbling, tilting or falling.
Regular physical activities like walking, water workouts or Tai Chi can go a long way toward fall prevention. A physical therapist can help you find the best types of activities to prevent falls based on your health, age and other factors.

Change Home Habits

Your home’s layout and the types of appliances and other items you use can also cause falls.
Move or remove anything that can cause you to slip or trip, such as throw rugs, coffee tables, book piles and umbrella stands, and re-position cords and cables along baseboards. Choose assistive devices that make walking safer like canes and walkers. Glue a non-slip bath mat to the floor of your tub or shower. Additionally, install handrails in places where you walk or rise from a seated position so you have something to grasp if you feel like you’re about to fall.
Some of our favorite products to prevent falls include:

Top 3 Tips for Fall Prevention

Top 3 Tips for Fall Prevention Top 3 Tips for Fall Prevention Top 3 Tips for Fall Prevention Top 3 Tips for Fall Prevention Top 3 Tips for Fall Prevention Top 3 Tips for Fall Prevention Top 3 Tips for Fall Prevention Top 3 Tips for Fall Prevention Top 3 Tips for Fall Prevention Top 3 Tips for Fall Prevention Top 3 Tips for Fall Prevention

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Elderly Mental Health: The Forgotten Half of Senior Care
Conditions & Treatments

Elderly Mental Health: The Forgotten Half of Senior Care

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

When people think and talk about senior care, they usually focus on physical support services. Care is typically framed as assistance for seniors with frailty, disability, or mobility concerns. But physical assistance is only half of the equation to quality senior care. Caring for seniors’ mental and emotional health is often just as, or even more, important than physical care and support. Elderly Mental Health: The Forgotten Half of Senior Care
That has been underscored by a recent study out of Munich, Germany. Researchers found that a person’s psychological health had a far bigger impact on how they rated their own well-being than their physical health. Elderly Mental Health: The Forgotten Half of Senior Care

The goal of senior care shouldn’t just be keeping seniors physically healthy — it should also allow seniors to enjoy their golden years and feel comfortable while aging in place. To do that, the conversation around senior care needs to include a wider and more serious focus on seniors’ mental health.

Expanding the Conversation Around Seniors’ Mental Health

In recent years, conversations around elderly mental health have helped change the way people think about senior care. Issues that used to be brushed off — like anxiety, insomnia, and loneliness — are now regularly talked about. These issues and their effects on elderly well-being are also subject to an increasing amount of research. That research has made clear that mental health issues can seriously impact seniors’ ability to find joy, comfort, and a sense of purpose in their later years.

But studies haven’t just found a link between psychological health and emotional well-being. Research has also shown that mental health can have a serious impact on seniors’ physical welfare. Studies have demonstrated that loneliness, depression, anxiety, stress, addiction, and insomnia are all linked to poor physical health outcomes in seniors. Seniors who suffer from senior isolation, for instance, have their average lifespan reduced at a similar rate to those who smoke or suffer from obesity.

Despite progress and increased awareness, there is still plenty of room for growth. We still attach far too much stigma to mental health — in the elderly and everyone else. As a result, seniors hide mental health concerns and family members often avoid asking questions when they sense something might be wrong.
That means we need to push the conversation forward. We need to treat issues like elderly depression with the same compassion, attentiveness, and urgency that we treat conditions like emphysema or diabetes. Only then will we be able to give seniors the care they need.

Changing the Way We Approach Senior Care

Changing the way we approach elderly mental health starts with all of us. Everyone — from senior care professionals to family caregivers, to seniors themselves — has a role to play in addressing this issue. Here are just a few ways we can start:

  • Families can have more open conversations about mental health. Make a conscious decision to educate yourself on different conditions and to approach these conversations with a non-judgmental mindset.
  • Family caregivers can start paying closer attention to signs of emotional and mental health concerns. That involves asking elderly loved ones questions about how they’re feeling, then making those feelings a core focus of care.
  • Family caregivers should also focus on self-care for their own emotional and psychological needs. Doing so will help them become better caregivers, avoid caregiver burnout, and get more out of life.
  • Senior care providers and professionals should encourage industry-wide education about how elderly mental health affects the well-being of seniors.
  • Professional education and training should be encouraged so that caregivers understand the best strategies for managing these concerns.
  • Senior care agencies and independent caregivers should expand their range of programs to include more services that focus on seniors’ psychological and mental well-being.

At Visiting Angels, we’ve incorporated these takeaways into our senior care services. When designing a custom care program for each client, we adopt a comprehensive perspective that includes physical, mental, and emotional needs. We also offer senior care programs that are built specifically for mental and emotional health concerns. Our companion care program, for instance, provides the regular human contact, compassion, and assistance that many seniors need to overcome feelings of loneliness, isolation, and reduced self-worth.

As always, if you believe a loved one is in danger due to depression, anxiety or another mental health concern, please contact their doctor immediately.
If you feel that senior care services could help your loved one remain engaged, upbeat and positive, we encourage you to contact your local Visiting Angels office and learn more about services available in your area. Elderly Mental Health: The Forgotten Half of Senior Care

Elderly Mental Health: The Forgotten Half of Senior Care

Elderly Mental Health: The Forgotten Half of Senior Care Elderly Mental Health: The Forgotten Half of Senior Care Elderly Mental Health: The Forgotten Half of Senior Care Elderly Mental Health: The Forgotten Half of Senior Care Elderly Mental Health: The Forgotten Half of Senior Care

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Exercise & Fitness

What’s better for bones: diet or exercise?

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger
Scientists may have found some clues to help answer an age-old question: What has a more positive impact on bones, diet or exercise?

Perhaps you’ve heard evidence for both these important habits. But a new University of Michigan (U-M) study got closer to a final answer.

To get this answer, researchers had to determine what effect diet alone, exercise alone, and then both diet and exercise together had on bone mineral content and density.

Researchers studied 16-week old mice and split them into various groups. Half got a control diet. The other half got an enriched diet with added calcium and phosphorus.

From there:

  • Some groups exercised for 8 weeks
  • Others didn’t at all
  • And still others exercised 30 minutes daily for 8 weeks, then stopped exercising for another 8 weeks.

 

In all, the researchers wanted to see whether diet or exercise made a greater difference in the mice’s bone density. And then, whether a combination of the two did even better. It’s important to know that at 16 weeks old, the mice were still expected to increase bone density regardless of treatment.

At the end of the study, here’s what the researchers found:

On average, the mice with the enriched diet saw greater increases in bone mineral density and strength compared to exercise mice alone. (In fact, mice who exercised only showed increases when they were on the enriched diet!) And the enriched diet mice saw greater increases versus the control diet mice too.

But the largest increases were in the group with the enriched diet who exercised for 8 weeks and then stopped exercising for the next 8!

Amazingly, the enriched-diet mice maintained their increases even through the 8 weeks of non-exercise. That means the enriched diet alone kept up the increases— no exercise needed!

These results even shocked the researchers. David Kohn, professor in the schools of dentistry and engineering at U-M, didn’t think diet alone would yield the results it did. Kohn believed a control diet with regular exercise would win out.

And sure, this was an animal study. But as Kohn himself said, “… if you think about the progression to humans, diet is easier for someone to carry on as they get older and stop exercising, rather than the continuation of exercise itself.”

Why You Shouldn’t Be Surprised…

Now, human studies have also proved that nutrition alone can improve bone health. In fact, nutrition alone increased bone density for 7 consecutive years, even in folks in their mid-80s!

Just like in the U-M mouse study, the participants in the 7-year human study used calcium and phosphorus to build their new bone too. But it took another 11 minerals and 3 vitamins to see consistent increases year over year.

Please note: All this isn’t to say you should stop exercising. Far from it. Exercise- particularly the weight-bearing kind- helps strengthen your bone and give you greater balance to reduce falls. And as you saw from the new study, the initial 8 weeks of exercise combined with a bone-building diet produced the best results.

By Dean Neuls

Dean Neuls is the Co-Founder and CEO of AlgaeCal. He is a natural health author and student of bone health science who is passionate about helping people & bettering lives.

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senior
Healthy Living

Remember to Enjoy Simple Things

by Kendall VanBlarcom
written by Kendall VanBlarcom

There are times when life is difficult. And when things are hard, it can be helpful to remind yourself to enjoy the simple things in life. If you feel overwhelmed, with everything on the news or with issues in your personal life, focusing on positives is a way to lift your spirts and reduce feelings of anxiety.

If you are struggling and want to connect with a personal support coach, reach out. With experience helping individuals improve their lives, a coach can share strategies such as reframing your thoughts and focusing on small things that bring you joy.

How You Interpret a Situation

Remembering you are in control of your thoughts can be helpful. For example, instead of focusing on situations that are out of your control, focus your energy and time on positive emotions. Behaviors and actions that can improve your life. This could mean that instead of obsessing about posts you are seeing on social media, making the decision to log off and take a walk in your neighborhood.

Too often, people ruminate over past experiences or get stuck in negative thought patterns. When you cultivate an optimistic style of thinking, you can appreciate the joy of simple things in life. Yes, there may be adversity in one or two areas of your life. But are other areas thriving? Focus on those and move toward happiness.

Simple Things Make Us Happy

Instead of thinking about how you could be living a happy life in the future, appreciate the things that make you happy right now. You can lift your mood by actively pursing activities that spark joy. This could include one or all of the following.

  • Feeling fresh sheets on your bed
  • Smelling homemade food in the kitchen
  • Dancing to your favorite song
  • Listening to the wind or rain outside
  • Talking with a friend
  • Being active and exercising

 

When individuals what to be happy, they can obsess over becoming happy. But chasing happiness can lead to negative feelings. It may seem counterintuitive, but letting go of the pursuit and simply enjoying the now can bring contentment. As Kurt Vonnegut said, “enjoy the little things in life because one day you’ll look back and realize they were the big things.”

When you feel the state of the world or personal issues have you dwelling on negative emotions, make efforts to improve your life and lift your mood. The world is big and joy is abundant. Spending time in nature can be a great reminder of this. When we enjoy big blue skies or calming waters, it can undo our obsessive thoughts about day to day worries. Other strategies include taking a break from technology, meditating, and spending time with the simple things that bring you joy. To learn more about paths to life improvement, talk to a personal coach.

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Why Mental Health is Important
Conditions & TreatmentsHealth

Why Mental Health is Important

by Carol Marak
written by Carol Marak

The aging population rapidly increases and between 2015 and 2050, the number of older adults will double from about 12% to 22%. This is an expected increase from 900 million to 2 billion people over the age of 60. Older people face special physical and mental health challenges which need attention.

The World Health Organization says over 20% of adults aged 60 and over suffer from a mental or neurological disorder, excluding headache disorders, and 6.6% of all disability attributes to mental and neurological disorders. The most common mental and neurological disorders in this age group are dementia and depression, which affect approximately 5% and 7% of the world’s older population. Anxiety disorders affect 3.8% of the older population, substance use problems affect almost 1% and around a quarter of deaths from self-harm are among people aged 60 or above.

Maintaining your mental health is vital because mental health effects every aspect of your life. When your mental health is in good shape, your physical health, relationships and overall quality of life tend to also be in good shape.

Health promotion – The mental health of older adults improves as one becomes more active and focuses on healthy aging activities. Mental health-specific well-being for older adults involves creating living conditions and environments that support healthy lives. Promoting mental health depends largely on strategies to ensure that older people have the necessary resources to meet their needs, such as:

  • Provide security and freedom;
  • Adequate housing through supportive housing policy;
  • Social support for older people and their caregivers;
  • Health and social programs targeted at vulnerable groups such as those who live alone and rural populations or who suffer from a chronic or relapsing mental or physical illness;
  • Programs to prevent and deal with elder abuse.

 

Tools and Tips for Maintaining Good Mental Health

Enhance Sleep – As people age they tend to have a harder time falling asleep. It is a common misconception that sleep needs decline with age. So, what’s keeping seniors awake? Changes in the patterns of our sleep – what specialists call “sleep architecture” – occur as we age. Sleep disturbance among the elderly attributes to physical and psychiatric illnesses and the medications used to treat them.

Add meditation to your daily regime, along with exercise.

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Senior Man Writing at Home
Seniors & Covid

How Covid-19 Will Change Aging and Retirement

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

There is not one person on the planet who hasn’t been affected by the Coronavirus. The virus started spreading in 2019 and continued to affect people globally throughout the year 2020. Traveling was halted, lockdowns prevailed, and the economy was disrupted as the world faced an unprecedented situation throughout the globe.

Not only has the pandemic caused people to stay at home throughout the year, but it has also affected our lifestyle, changing it forever. Some people are referring to the current situation as “the new normal,” indicating that we will have to adapt to this situation as this might be the new normal way of life.

Like every other aspect of life, aging and retirement have also been affected by the pandemic. There is a lot of uncertainty about the future, but experts are pointing out a few aging and retirement trends that we can expect in the future.

Let’s have a look at a few aspects of how COVID-19 will change aging and retirement:

1. More People Would Age At Home

The pandemic has made us realize how inadequate the medical facilities are and how we need to focus on providing better nursing facilities at home. Hence, authorities are focusing on providing the elderly nursing facilities in their own homes instead of at nursing facilities.

Although the expenses of smaller/individual nursing facilities and units are higher, it is much safer for the elderly. Authorities are looking into alternatives where senior citizens can remain in their homes, and facilities like medical care, transportation, home care, and daycare will be provided to them.

2. Technology Boom

We have also realized the power of technology during the pandemic, and IT experts are working more towards improving the technology to facilitate people while staying at home. Already people are managing their tasks using their smartphones, including shopping, doing grocery, getting food, getting an education, booking homes services like carpet cleaning, etc.

It is also expected that the elderly are likely to benefit from this boom in technology. Researchers predict that a lot of technological innovations are coming that will be aimed to facilitate senior citizens.

The increased sophistication of smart and wearable devices will prove instrumental in helping elders, especially in the medical field. Telemedicine will gain even more popularity as people will use wearable devices to track their health.

3. Life Expectancy Will Decline

With the increased number of deaths due to the COVID-19, it is expected that the overall life expectancy rate will decline. Our lives have been affected severely by the virus. To stay safe from getting the virus, people are staying indoors, avoiding outdoor activities such as walk, exercise, running, and socializing.

The resulting isolation also has adverse effects on people’s well-being, inducing anxiety, stress, and depression. These factors are important in different phases of life.

4. Healthier Lifestyles

Covid-19 has also motivated people to start living a healthier lifestyle and focusing on their wellness. The diet we consume and the physical movements we make are essential to our well-being. The better your internal health, the easier it is to stay away from deadly viruses.

The same virus is impacting people differently. Hence people are focusing on improving their immunity by taking care of the diet and physical movements. The pandemic has also raised an awareness of “biological age,” which helps people assess their age according to their physical health rather than their birth year.

We are likely to see more focus on healthier lifestyles in the coming years, and technology is likely to play an important role in monitoring one’s health stats.

5. Focus On Savings

We will have to be more mindful about our spending habits considering that aging is getting expensive by the day. People currently rely on the 4% rule, where 4% of savings are withdrawn in the first year of retirement and then get annual raise in the account for the inflation rate.

However, it is certain that we would be needing enough money to secure our future and medical needs as the world is becoming more vulnerable to deadly viruses. So for people, now is the time to be mindful of how they can save up for their future.

6. People Will Work For As Long As They Can

According to research, in 1993, 29% of people continued working after 55 years, whereas the number rose to 40% in 2019. It is expected that this number would increase as people want to continue working for as long as they can.

During the pandemic, working hours and modes have become more flexible where most people are working remotely. This makes it easier for the elderly to remain employed.

People would now likely to continue post 55 years of age to secure their futures as the pandemic has made it harder for everyone to afford a normal lifestyle as before. However, people who do not have good health need to be accommodated by the authorities.

7. Change in Perspective

Before COVID-19, we had a very different outlook on life, and no one could imagine the world we are living in now. Our views on senior citizens being sick and becoming a burden on the younger generation have also changed during COVID-19.

Some elderly people have recovered from the virus, whereas young, fit athletes have lost their lives to it. Hence the perspective that older adults are the weaker ones has also hugely been impacted. Our general perception of having adequate healthcare facilities has also been changed as we have seen the condition and inadequacy of medical facilities.

In Summary

COVID-19 has not only impacted our lives in the short-term, but it has also changed our views forever. The freedom and liberty we had before the virus appear is a luxury now, and people are very much concerned about aging, retirement, and securing their futures financially.

Policymakers around the world are also working on better plans to facilitate the citizens and make this horrendous time a little easier and bearable. If nothing else, this time has taught us to be grateful, patient, and kind towards everyone else as we are all in this together.

Author Bio:
Arslan Hassan is an electrical engineer with a passion for writing, designing, and anything tech-related. His educational background in the technical field has given him the edge to write on many topics. He occasionally writes blog articles for Carpet cleaners London

 

 

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5 Biggest Reasons for Aging in Place
Age-In-Place

5 Biggest Reasons for Aging in Place

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

As the old saying goes, “Home is where the heart is.” That saying holds true for most Americans, but it holds particular meaning for America’s seniors. According to data from the AARP, nearly 90% of American seniors wish to remain in the comfort of their own home for as long as possible. Even when faced with significant age-related difficulties, most older adults believe that aging in place is important. 5 Biggest Reasons for Aging in Place 5 Biggest Reasons for Aging in Place
At Visiting Angels, we’ve been helping American seniors age in place for nearly twenty years. Our experience as home care providers has given us unique insight into the reason why seniors prefer aging in place to alternatives like facility living, moving in with a child, or downsizing. Below, we’ve listed the five biggest reasons why our clients value aging in place.

1. Comfort & Familiarity 5 Biggest Reasons for Aging in Place

Like anyone else, American seniors feel most comfortable, most safe, and most secure in familiar surroundings. By the time most of us hit retirement age, we’ve been living in the same home and enjoying the same routines for years and years. Disrupting that sense of comfort and familiarity can be deeply disorienting and distressing — especially for seniors who want nothing more than the chance to settle down and enjoy their golden years. Aging in place allows these seniors to stay in the space where they are most able to enjoy their retirement, even when age starts to get in the way.

2. Difficulty of Moving

Moving is difficult, no matter the age of the person moving. Moving is a months-long process that includes finding a new place, selling your old home, sorting through your personal belongings, booking movers, packing, buying new furniture, and on, and on, and on… For many seniors, the time and energy that comes with a move simply isn’t worth the benefits. Even when day-to-day life gets a little bit difficult, aging in place is still the easier option. 5 Biggest Reasons for Aging in Place

3. Don’t Know Where to Go

Before you move out from one home, you need to find a new one where you will be comfortable. Many seniors simply don’t believe they could find a new home that would be an improvement over their current living situation. In many cases, seniors are unsure whether it would be best to downsize, find a care facility, or move in with a child. While they may have misgivings about living independently through old age, they worry that a move could lower their quality of life.

4. Financial Considerations

Moving is an expensive proposition. Unsurprisingly, a large number of American seniors worry that they can’t afford the costs associated with a move to a new home. While many of these seniors may prefer a move elsewhere, their financial situation keeps them in place. 5 Biggest Reasons for Aging in Place

5. Friends & Family 5 Biggest Reasons for Aging in Place

For many seniors, aging in place means being near to friends and family. A move to a new home or a care facility could make it more difficult for these seniors to spend time with the people they care about most. In these cases, prioritizing interpersonal relationships can be a benefit for seniors’ physical, mental, and emotional health, as studies have shown that an active social life comes with a range of health benefits. 5 Biggest Reasons for Aging in Place
If you have an elderly parent or grandparent who wishes to age in place, but who is starting to struggle with independent living, Visiting Angels can help. Simply contact your local office today for a free consultation about how our caregivers can help your loved one age in place. 5 Biggest Reasons for Aging in Place

5 Biggest Reasons for Aging in Place

5 Biggest Reasons for Aging in Place
5 Biggest Reasons for Aging in Place 5 Biggest Reasons for Aging in Place 5 Biggest Reasons for Aging in Place 5 Biggest Reasons for Aging in Place

5 Biggest Reasons for Aging in Place

5 Biggest Reasons for Aging in Place 5 Biggest Reasons for Aging in Place 5 Biggest Reasons for Aging in Place 5 Biggest Reasons for Aging in Place 5 Biggest Reasons for Aging in Place
5 Biggest Reasons for Aging in Place

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When Roles Reverse: Talking to Parents About Alcohol
Healthy Living

When Roles Reverse: Talking to Parents About Alcohol

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

In every parent-child relationship, there eventually comes a time when roles reverse. It’s a natural and inevitable extension of the aging process. The mom or dad who once changed your diapers, drove you to soccer practice, and applied Band-aids to skinned knees will gradually lose their mobility and independence, requiring greater help and supervision with their own health and safety needs. For the child who in turn is tasked with caring for an aging parent, navigating this new juncture can be difficult because it means taking a more directive role in relation to a grown-up who, in addition to having parented you, is used to having their own independence and making their own lifestyle decisions. When Roles Reverse: Talking to Parents About Alcohol
Take, for example, the issue of alcohol consumption in old age. It’s a biological fact that alcohol tolerance decreases as you age, so that moderate drinking that caused no health problems earlier in life may pose serious dangers later in life, purely because of the aging process. Consequently, maintaining a healthy lifestyle in the golden years often requires scaling back one’s drinking habits-to a weekly intake of seven drinks or less, according to recommendations from the National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse.

But tell that to an aging parent who is accustomed to several glasses of wine every night, and chances are that you’ll draw some ire. While some of this touchiness may be unavoidable, the following tips and guidelines can ease a conversation about drinking-related concerns with an aging parent:

Pick the right time to talk. As a good rule of thumb, “the right time” for a conversation about your parent’s alcohol use will not be when they are drinking. If their habit is to polish off a bottle of wine in the evening, choose an earlier time in the day to broach the subject. If you’re noticing signs of alcohol abuse-a morning hangover, for example-the best time to talk with your parent may be when they’re experiencing the negative side effects of their drinking. In that state, they may be more open to seeing how their drinking is adversely impacting their health.

Arm yourself with the facts. Because of aging-related differences in how the body metabolizes alcohol, just two or three beers at age 70 have about the same impact as four or five beers at the age of 50, according to Dr. David Oslin, M.D., in a 2010 article in the New York Times. “The effect almost doubles,” Dr. Oslin said, with the result that a seemingly moderate intake of alcohol can lead to insomnia, depression, exacerbated arthritis pain and heart damage, among other serious conditions. These dangers are compounded by the fact that many doctors do not sufficiently screen older patients for alcohol and other drug use-so it is safe to assume that your parent may not be aware that a long-held drinking habit may pose new health risks in their golden years. They also may not realize that alcohol may interfere with one or more of the medications they take and that in some cases the combination may be toxic. Sometimes, simply laying out these facts for an older parent will be enough to motivate them to rein in their alcohol consumption.

Open the conversation with a question. This way you convey your concern honestly and directly, but in a gentle, non-confrontational style that invites (and shows that you value) your parent’s feedback. A good lead-in question might be, for example, “Have you talked with your doctor about the medications you’re taking and their interactions with alcohol?”

Avoid labeling or diagnosing the problem. Even if it is an accurate description of your parent’s drinking habits, addiction terminology like “alcoholism” or “alcoholic” is not helpful because of the heavy stigma it carries. Using these labels can amplify your parent’s sense of shame or embarrassment about their drinking. (After all, if their alcohol consumption is causing negative consequences, they will have at least some awareness of the problem-even if they can’t admit it to you.)

Be specific about your observations and concerns. The caution to avoid labeling or diagnosing your parent’s problem should not require that you be silent about your observations and concerns. Just because your mom or dad is elderly does not mean they need to be coddled or protected from the truth. On the contrary, it is perfectly appropriate to say, “I am concerned about your drinking, because of x, y, z.” You can convey your concerns in a gentle and respectful tone.

Focus on the present, by identifying positive incentives for adopting a healthier alcohol intake. Even at an advanced age, the promise of better health and quality of life-and making the most of the time that is left-can be compelling motivation to modify one’s drinking habits. Try to emphasize the things that you know give your parent joy in the present, and that will give them even more joy when alcohol is less of a crutch. Whether it’s spending time with grandchildren, pursuing a romantic flame, or learning a new hobby in retirement, something else is worth more to Mom or Dad than their drinking ritual. By bringing that “something else” to their attention and encouraging them to pursue it, you’ll be sending the message that you love your parent and want them to be happy and healthy. It is hard to think of anything more persuasive than that.

Anna Ciulla is the Vice President of Clinical and Medical Services at Beach House Center for Recovery where she is responsible for designing, implementing and supervising the delivery of the latest evidence-based therapies for treating substance use disorders. Anna has a passion for helping clients with substance use and co-occurring disorders achieve successful long-term recovery.

When Roles Reverse: Talking to Parents About Alcohol

When Roles Reverse: Talking to Parents About Alcohol When Roles Reverse: Talking to Parents About Alcohol When Roles Reverse: Talking to Parents About Alcohol When Roles Reverse: Talking to Parents About Alcohol When Roles Reverse: Talking to Parents About Alcohol When Roles Reverse: Talking to Parents About Alcohol When Roles Reverse: Talking to Parents About Alcohol When Roles Reverse: Talking to Parents About Alcohol When Roles Reverse: Talking to Parents About Alcohol When Roles Reverse: Talking to Parents About Alcohol When Roles Reverse: Talking to Parents About Alcohol

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